Eine florentinische Tragödie
| Alexander von Zemlinsky |
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Operas
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Eine florentinische Tragödie (A Florentine Tragedy), Op. 16 is an opera in one act by Alexander Zemlinsky to a libretto adapted by the composer from a German translation by Max Meyerfeld of a play by Oscar Wilde.
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[edit] Performance history
The opera was premiered at the Stuttgart Hoftheater on 30 January 1917 under the direction of Max von Schillings. The last production during Zemlinsky's lifetime was in Brno in 1928. The work has a duration of less than one hour and is generally paired with another work when performed.
The score is published by Universal Edition Vienna.[1][2]
[edit] Roles
| Role[1] | Voice type | Premiere Cast[3] 30 January 1917 (Conductor: Max von Schillings) |
|---|---|---|
| Guido Bardi, Prince of Florence | tenor | Rudolf Ritter |
| Simone, a merchant | baritone | Felix Fleischer-Janczak |
| Bianca, his wife | soprano | Helene Wildbrunn |
[edit] Synopsis
The scene is Simone's residence in 16th-century Florence.
Simone, a Florentine merchant, suspects that he is being cuckolded by Prince Guido whom he discovers at home with his wife Bianca on returning from a business trip. He sells Guido a robe and offers the prince everything that he has in his house; Guido chooses Bianca. Simone takes Bianca to her room and asks her to spin, which she refuses to do. After he leaves, Bianca declares that she hates her husband and wishes him dead. Overhearing this, Simone reflects further on adultery and death. He leaves Guido and Bianca alone together and the two lovers express their devotion. When Guido is about to go home, Simone challenges him to a fight, first with swords, then with daggers, before Simone finally overcomes Guido and strangles him. Bianca, admiring her husband's strength, rushes to embrace him and the two are reconciled as the curtain falls.
[edit] Recordings
[conductor/bianca/guido/simone]
- Albrecht/Soffel/Riegel/Sarabia, Schwann (1984)
- Chailly/Vermillion/Kruse/Dohman, Decca (1996) §
- Conlon/Voigt/Kuebler/Albert, EMI (1997, live in Cologne)
§ re-released in 2003; recording made at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b "Alexander Zemlinsky - Eine florentinische Tragödie op.16". Universal Edition. http://www.universaledition.com/Alexander-Zemlinsky/composers-and-works/composer/796/work/2260. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
- ^ "Upcoming performances". Universal Edition. http://www.universaledition.com/performances-and-calendar#work=2260. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
- ^ "Musical events 30 January 1917". Italy: AmadeusOnline. http://amadeusonline.net/almanacco.php?Start=0&Giorno=30&Mese=01&Anno=1917&Giornata=&Testo=&Parola=Stringa. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
[edit] References
- Clayton, Alfred (1992), 'Florentinische Tragödie, Eine' in The New Grove Dictionary of Opera, ed. Stanley Sadie (London) ISBN 0-333-73432-7
- András Batta: Opera - Komponisten, Werke, Interpreten (Könemann Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, 2000, Dutch translation)
